DLA Piper’s Sandra Wallace named among Britain’s most influential black people for fourth year running
For the fourth consecutive year, DLA Piper's Joint Managing Director, UK and Europe, Sandra Wallace has been listed as one of the 100 most influential black people in Britain, in the Black Powerlist 2021.
Now in its 14th year, the annual list celebrates people of African and African Caribbean heritage in the UK in the business, science, technology and arts industries. It is compiled by an independent judging panel of influential figures, who recognise individuals who have changed lives or are making a huge difference.
Appointed to the role of Joint Managing Director of Europe in January 2017, Sandra has also served as DLA Piper's UK Managing Partner from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, she was appointed as a Social Mobility Commissioner for the UK government. More recently, Sandra became interim Co-Chair of the Social Mobility Commission where she is responsible for ensuring there is cohesive collaboration between the Commission and a range of stakeholders including ministers, senior government officials, representatives from local communities and experts in the field.
Commenting, Sandra said: "The Powerlist plays an important role in highlighting the achievements and work of black people in the UK, so it's an absolute honour to be in such inspirational company. The legal industry is on a journey and we have some way to go, however we are playing and will continue to play our part in driving the agenda for diversity, inclusion and social mobility forward. The industry needs it, our clients want it, and it's simply the right thing to do."
Last month, Sandra was named Champion of the Year at the 2020 UK Social Mobility Awards (the SOMOs). The award celebrates a senior leader who has the imagination to 'think big', and who embeds and promotes initiatives that address social mobility across their organisation, advocates for change and is a visible, pioneering voice to improve the life chances of those people who need support.
